Wongo and the Box Of Cats Team Celebrate Their 200th Release with “The Key”
The house music landscape owes much to Box Of Cats. Founded nearly a decade ago by Jak Z, Tom EQ, Jeff Doubleu, Kyle Watson, Wongo, and Marc Spence, this label has been a champion of underground sounds that are quirky and fun. With a commitment to pushing boundaries, Box Of Cats has now reached a significant milestone with the release of their 200th track.
For this special occasion, label founders Wongo and Kyle Watson collaborated under their Pavement Special alias to produce “The Key.” This new track embodies the diverse creativity of both artists and reflects the dynamic spirit of the Box Of Cats label.
Wongo took some time to discuss this momentous release and the label’s journey. You can listen to “The Key” on Spotify or your favorite streaming platform, and continue reading to explore Wongo’s insights as they celebrate this significant achievement for Box Of Cats.
Listen to Pavement Special – The Key on Spotify:
Hi Matt, thanks for joining me today, and congratulations on this significant milestone for Box Of Cats. The 200th release, “The Key,” is a collaborative effort with Kyle Watson under your Pavement Special project. Can you share some insights on its production process?
Kyle shared several demos with me, and one particular breakdown caught my attention. He excels at incorporating moody chords into club music, so I took on the challenge of building from that. My initial drop was groovier, but simplifying it with an off-beat bass line made it feel fresher. We wanted to create something contemporary without veering into techno or hard dance territory. The track came together quickly from there!
The mix you released to commemorate this milestone is fantastic. Although it was hinted to be the “first and potentially only-ever Pavement Special DJ mix,” do you think we might see it performed live at a festival in the future?
[Laughs] I added that ‘maybe’ because anything is possible. If we were to do a back-to-back set as Pavement Special, I’d want it to be a one-time event where I finally get Kyle to let loose and join me for an epic after-party set. It would be a memorable experience for everyone present.
Box Of Cats started its journey on SoundCloud and has grown tremendously over the past decade. What do you think has contributed to its success and the community it has built?
For me, it’s about the personal touch. We’ve always engaged directly with our audience, whether they’re reaching out about our music or seeking advice on their first DJ gigs. This personal connection has fostered a community around our music. Having passionate artists who genuinely care about the industry behind the label makes a huge difference!
Reflecting on the label’s journey, what have been some of the most pivotal moments for Box Of Cats?
One major defining moment was with BOC30; we saw thousands of downloads on SoundCloud and realized it was time to legitimize our operations. Managing the influx of demos was becoming overwhelming, and the label was taking up a lot of time for real people. Another key moment was signing The Sponges with their track “Make It Juicy.” While it wasn’t a massive hit, it felt groundbreaking at the time. I had numerous Zoom calls mentoring them about the industry, and now they are thriving, which is incredibly rewarding to witness.
Box Of Cats shows no signs of slowing down. What are your plans for the label in the upcoming years? Any specific goals you and the team aim to achieve?
Our primary focus is to stay true to the music. With Kyle and I both busy touring and living on opposite sides of the world, organizing anything beyond that can be a challenge. I’ve been toying with the idea of launching a second label that branches off from Box Of Cats, exploring a different direction, but we’ll see how it unfolds!
What advice would you give to emerging house artists looking to make their mark in 2025?
The classic advice of ‘stay original’ may be cliché, but it’s crucial for the next generation to hear it. A large portion of the demos we receive sound like copies of existing tracks or rely on overused Splice samples. The internet is vast, and there are countless samples and ideas available beyond the usual sources!
Lastly, congratulations on being announced for next year’s Friendship lineup! What are you most looking forward to about this event, and what can attendees expect from your performance(s)?
I’m beyond excited! The best part is connecting with the Shipfam community. They have significantly impacted the US underground scene over the years, and I want to participate in the Dial a DJ experience, surprising people by playing in their rooms. That sounds like an absolute blast!
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